Push button time cycle controller

ABSTRACT

A pushbutton time cycle controller by virtue of which operations can be programmed, conducted, or carried out according to definitely timed sequences usually arranged over a 12-hour or 24hour period. The controller comprises the combination of a dial face pushbutton assembly, the pushbuttons of which are arranged in patterns or orbitals for preselected setting in desired timed sequence, for activation of an electrical circuit by physical coaction between the pushbuttons and a displaceable synchronously rotating cam-disc or cam-disc assembly, which is brought into contact with a pressure responsive electrical switch in response to pushbutton settings. The pressure responsive electrical switch performs a preselected operation by energizing an external electrical circuit, or circuits.

United States Patent [45] Patented May 25,1971

[54] PUSH BUTTON TIME CYCLE CONTROLLER 3,032,618 5/1962 Johnson .1: 200/38(Al) 3,329,780 7/1967 GratriX,Sr

Primary ExaminerRobert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner.l. R. Scott A ttorneyLlewel1yn A. Proctor ABSTRACT: A pushbutton time cycle controller by virtue of which operations can be programmed, conducted, or carried out according to definitely timed sequences usually arranged over a 12-hour or 24-hour period. The controller comprises the combination of a dial face pushbutton assembly, the pushbuttons of which are arranged in patterns or orbitals for preselected setting in desired timed sequence, for activation of an electrical circuit by physical coaction between the pushbuttons and a displaceable synchronously rotating cam-disc or cam-disc assembly, which is brought into contact with a pressure responsive electrical switch in response to pushbutton settings. The pressure responsive electrical switch performs a preselected operation by energizing an external electrical circuit, or circuits.

PATENTEDMAYZSIQYI V 3581.027 sum lDF 2 INVENTOR.

HERBERT F. LINDSAY PUSH BUTTON TIME CYCLE CONTROLLER Pushbutton time cycle controllers of various types have been known to the art for many years, and have been employed for many purposes including devices of this general character for turning on and off radios, alarms, lights, appliances, stoves, furnaces and the like. The manner of setting such controllers is often relatively simple, amounting in most instances to setting a pointer to preselect a single time at which some desired operation is to be performed. The internal functioning of such controllers, however, is not generally so simple, and mechanisms are all too often quite complex. To assure reliability, considerable care must be exercised in the production and assembly of these complex mechanisms. lt is also-often desirable to. preselect multiple periods over which an operation, or series of operations, can be conducted over a unit time period.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved time cycle controller which will obviate the foregoing and other disadvantages.

A particular object is to provide a simplified pushbutton time cycle controller which can be manually set to open and close an electric. circuit (or circuits), and thereby to turn on (or off), for a preselected definite time, an electrically operated device.

A specific object is to provide a controller of such type,'in tegrated with a synchronous motor or other type of clock motor mechanism, so that desired functions can be programmed by pushbutton selection to operate an electrically operated device at any time interval as indicated by time selections made on the clock. dial.

A more specific object is to provide a controller of such type integrated with a 12-hour or 24-hour clock mechanism for control of one or a plurality of electric circuits in response 7 to on-off time settings, including the turning off of one circuit (or group of circuits) as another (or others) is turned on.

Yet another specific object is to provide such controller wherein switches and other important components are fully enclosed within a housing to eliminate fire hazards, as maybe present in certain environments.

Other objects will be apparent in view of the following descriptions.

The invention, accordingly, is embodied in apushbutton time cycle controller or apparatus combination which can be characterized as comprising, generally, the combination of a dial face pushbutton assembly, the pushbuttons of which are arrayed in patterns or orbitals for preselected setting in desired time sequence, for activation of an electrical circuit by coaction between the pushbutton ends and a displaceable synchronously rotating cam-disc, or cam-disc assembly, which is brought into contact with a pressure responsive electrical switch, or switches, in response to pushbutton settings.

The principal units of the controller thuscomprise a dial face, provided with time indicia markings and one or a plurality of pushbuttons spaced at preselected time intervals representing divisions of the unit time measured on the dial face, i

a shaft operatively associated with, or geared to, a synchronous clock motor or other type of clock mechanism for rotating the shaft at a uniform angular velocity, a single rotation per unit time corresponding to the unit of time measured on the dial face,

a circular disc or equivalent member provided with a cam surface, concentrically disposed, integrally mounted upon, and vertically displaceable along the axis of the shaft, or with the shaft, by action of the lower pushbutton ends upon the cam, and

a switch, preferably a pressure responsive electrical switch, for controlling and energizing an electrical circuit, located adjacent to and within the displacement range of the circular disc.

The pushbuttons are arranged at desired intervals, generally in orbitals or patterns, around the'circumference of "the dial face to provide different time settings, these corresponding with divisions of the unit time represented on the dial face. A time setting is selected by pushing in one of the buttons, or several time settings can be made by pushing in several of the buttons. In its function, the lower end of a pushbutton is thrust into the path of travel of the cam of the circular disc, so that on rotation the cam surface strikes the pushbutton end thereby causing the circular disc to be displaced downwardly into contact with the pressure responsive switch so as to activate and energize the external electrical circuit. The activation continues under the stimulus of the pushbutton end, or ends, until the cam has moved physically beyond its influence at which time the circular disc, by action of a tensioned spring, is displaced back into its original position out of contact with the pressure responsive electrical switch.

The invention, and its principle of operation, will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of a specific embodiment, and to the attached scripts are used where there is a plurality of similar parts or components. Letter subscripts are used to denote a particular part or portion of a component.

ln the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded or disassembled view showing'in detail the several basic units or principal parts of a preferred pushbutton time cycle controller of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectioned side view of the controller, showing the basic'units of the foregoing figure, assembled and disposed in cooperating relationship;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the preceding figure, the two views taken together showing a progression of the means used for activation of the electrical circuit; and

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the packaged unit in 'a preferred boxlike container.

Referring to the drawings, and specifically to H0. 1, the principal parts of the time cycle controller includes generally, first, a dial face pushbutton assembly, represented by the dial face 30 etched,painted, printed, or otherwise scribed upon the upper panel 39, the pushbutton spacer ring assembly 34 and the intermediate panel 49. In assembly, the upper'pushbutton ends 32, are projected through openings provided therefor in upper panel 39 and the lower'pushbutton ends 32,, are projected through openings provided therefor in intermediate panel 49,the number of openings in each panel 39,49 corresponding to the number of pushbuttons 32. The cam-disc assembly is represented by the circular disc 40, provided with a cam 41, concentrically disposed and integrally mounted upon a rotatable vertically displaceable shaft 10, which includes the collar 11 and shaft portion or extension 12. The rotatable shaft 10, and consequently the whole of the cam-disc assembly, is operatively geared to a clock motor 20, mounted upon a base panel 29 alongside the pressure responsive electrical switch 50. The circular disc 40 and shaft 10 are, in this specific embodiment, vertically displaceable, as a unit, when the cam 41 is contacted by a pushbutton 32, displacement producing contact with the adjacent pressure responsive electrical switch 50, for activation of an electrical circuit 60, located adjacent to and within the displacement path of the circular disc 40.

It will be generally observed that the cam-disc assembly is rotatably supported atop the clock motor 20. The lower end of the cam-disc assembly, by virtue of an elongated annular opening within the shaft extension 12, thus fits over the idler pin or stud 23 to which it is journaled. The upper end of the assembly is supported by passage of the shaft 10 through central openings within panels 39,49 which provides and houses the dial face pushbutton assembly. The cam-disc assembly is driven at constant angular velocity by the motor 20 via any suitable connecting means, e.g., friction discs, belts, chains, gears, or the like, means being specifically described hereafter.

At the center of the dial face 30, provided with time indicia markings, a turn knob 31 is keyed to, or rigidly affixed upon, and movable with'therotatable shaft 10. The turn knob 31 is provided with a pointer 33 which indicates the time of day, 24- hour markings being shown, this being used with a 24-hour clock as often preferred, and illustrated. The time indicated by the pointer33 is set to correspond with thetime shown in the window 93 (FIG. 4) of the casing 90, the time shown being read from indicia marks and numerals representing a clock scale 43 attached upon the peripheral edge of disc 40.

ushbuttons 32 can be mounted in any convenient number (e.g., 24), at any convenient intervals, around the circumference of the dial face 30. These extend through a spacedapart top and intermediate panel 39,49, and the lower ends 32 4 thereof terminate, in an unset position, just'above the path of travel of the cam 41 of the disc 40. it will be noted that the top and intermediate panels 39,49 are joined together and spaced by means of tubular spacers 38 located at the corners of the panels and by an open centered circular member or pushbutton spacer ring assembly 34 to which the top and inte rmediate' panels 39,49 are glued or otherwise affixed. The panels 39,49 could thus be affixed together in any suitable manner and,in fact, a unitary panel could be substituted for 39,49, respectively. The open lower end 31 A of the turn knob -31 fits over andmates with the top of shaft to which it is keyed via a vertical slot which rides upon the bar or key member 10 which prevents relative rotational movement between the two members. The turn knob 31, with its pointer 33, forms in effect an optional but desirable portion of the cam-disc assembly. Sufficient clearance is provided between the lower surface of turn knob 31 and the upper face of dial 30 for limited vertical movement of the cam-disc assembly.

The clockmotor 20, mounted upon. the base panel 29, is geared via-the shaft extension 12 to the lower portion of the shaft 10 upon which is affixed the circular disc 40. The disc 40 is rigidly secured to the shaft 10 via the collar 11, which is in turn rigidly secured to smaller diameter shaft extension 12.

The terminal portion of the shaft extension 12 is hollow, fits over and mates with the idler pin or stud 23, but sufficient clearance is provided within the elongated annular opening of the shaft extension 12 to permit limited vertical movement of the cam-discassembly. The turn knob 31, shaft 10, coupling collar 11, shaft extension 12, and the circular disc 40 thus comprise an assembly rotatably supported upon the stud 23 and vertically displaceable to a limited extend within the structure formed by the top, intermediate, and base panels 39,49,29 secured together by means of cylindrical shaped spacers 38,46 held in place by the bolts 28.

The circular disc 40, provided with an upwardly facing cam surface 41, is concentrically mounted upon and rotatable with the complete cam-disc and shaft assembly. The circular disc 40 is normally maintained in raised position by the upward thrust of the tensioned helical spring 44, but it is vertically displaceable downwardly from its elevated position into a lower position along with the shaft 10. Downward displacement of the disc 40 by action of a set pushbutton is sufficient to press downwardly on the end of lever 51 of the pressure responsive switch 50, e.g., a Microswitch, to activate the electrical circuit 60. In this action, it will be apparent that the principle of operation, is the same whether the disc is displaced downwardly with the shaft, as described, or relative to the shaft, to contact the Microswitch. Hence, the movement of the disc along the axis of the shaft is fully the equivalent of movement of the entire cam-disc shaft assembly, as specifically described.

The cam-disc assembly, and consequently the shaft 10, is rotated by means of an electrically driven or spring wound clock motor 20 to which it is op'eratively associated via gears 21,22,45, the former of which is mounted on the shaft of motor 20 and the latter of which is mounted on the peripheral end of shaft extension 12. The spur gear 22 interconnects gears 21,45. The axial end face of the shaft extension 12 is thus provided with an annulus of gear teeth 45 which surrounds the axis of rotation. The gear 45 is acted upon by the meshing spur gear 22 driven by gear 21 which is an annulus of gear teeth surrounding the drive shaft of the motor 20. Preferably, an electrically-driven clock motor is used, and the shaft 10 is uniformly rotated about its axis at l revolution per day; or, I revolution per 12-hour period where the unit time shown on the dial face is 12 hours. One revolution of the shaft 10 will thus correspond with l revolution of the disc 40, and this in turn will correspond to the unit scale shown on dial face 30. A 24-hour period is specifically illustrated.

The indicia marks on the dialface 30 thus represent a 24- hour scale, and the pushbuttons 32 are located for initiation of an operation at any hour, or fraction thereof, of the 24-hour period. The number of pushbuttons 32 employed is determined by the desired degree of selectivity and frequency of the desired operations.

The nature and function of a pushbutton 32 is that, in an unset position, its terminal end 32 lies above the locus or path of travel of the cam 41, of rotatable disc .40. In set position, which occurs when a pushbutton 32 is pushed inwardly, the terminal end 32 is thrust into the path of travel of the cam 41, of disc 40 to produce downward deflection of the cam-disc assembly, and shaft 10. Consequently, any of several known types of pushbuttons can be used to perform this function. A convenient type of pushbutton is as commonly used on a ball point pen. To set a pushbutton all that is required-is to press inwardly on the pushbutton. This causes the lower end of a pushbutton 32,, to be thrust downwardly and into the path of the cam. The pushbutton will so remain in this position as long as it is set. To unset the pushbutton, a second inward pressing causes the pushbutton end to be retracted out of the path of the cam.

The arc length of the cam 41, of disc 40, and its distance fromthe axis of shaft 10 determine the time in which the shaft assembly, and consequently disc 40, will remain in deflected position. Consequently, the arc length of the cam 41 and its radial distance from the center of shaft 10 are preselected so that an operation can be continued for any desired period within the span of time represented by adjacent pushbuttons. The span of time produced by the arc length of a cam, and its radial distance from the shaft axis, can be less than or equal to the span of time represented by the time span produced by the location of adjacent pushbuttons, as described. Where, as in this illustration, the pushbuttons 32 are spaced to provide 1- hour intervals, the arc length of the cam 41, and its radial distance from the shaft axis, would be preselected to provide activation for a period of 1 hour or less. lf an operation is to be initiated and continued for a longer period than 1 hour, without interruption, and the cams are of sufficient arc length to provide a full hour of operation on activation by a single pushbutton, a plurality of adjacent pushbuttons can be set, as desired, to continue the operation. In this manner, the disc 40 will remain in downwardly deflected position by continued action of the adjacent pushbutton upon the cam 41. On the other hand, an operation can be performed repetitiously at different time periods during a day, and the operations will be continued from day to day unless the pushbuttons are reset. Alternatively, pushbutton selections can be made to discontinue operations within certain time periods, while operations are performed in unset pushbutton periods.

in an operation best described by reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a pushbutton 32, is pressed inwardly and set for an operation to take place at some future time, e.g., 10 o'clock. The disc 40 turns throughout the time intervening between the time of setting and 10 o'clock. As the hour of 10 o'clock is approached, the cam 41 of disc 40 approaches the terminal end of the pushbutton 32 and the latter begins to ride over the inclined edge of the cam 41. The action causes the disc 40, and shaft 10, to begin to move downwardly and as it does so lever 51 of Microswitch 50 is gradually depressed. Rotation of the disc 40 continues as spring 44 is compressed and tensioned. On reaching the high point or plateau of the cam 41, as shown by reference to FIG. 3, the lever arm 51 of Microswitch S0 closes upon the contact 52 to activate the electrical circuit 60 and activation continues as long as the top of the cam 41 continues to move along or ride upon the lower end of the pushbutton 32 On reaching the opposite side of the pushbutton end 32 the action of the latter on the cam 41 is discontinued and the disc 40, and shaft 10, under action of the tensioned spring 44, is thrust back into its former upward position. As this happens, the lever SI of Microswitch 50 is raised and contact 52 no longer touches against the lever SI. Electrical contact is broken, and electrical circuit 60 is deenergized. So long as thepushbutton 32 remains set at this'time, thc action is repeated every 24-hour period. Multiple settings would produce a series of such actions at preselected intervals during the 24-hour period.

The several parts of a typical electrical circuit 60 is best described by specific reference to FIG. 1. Power is continuously supplied to motor via leads 61,62 by insertion of the male plug 63 into a socket of a suitable source. Power, reduced in quantity by use of resistances 66,67, is also continuously supplied to the bulbs 64,65 affixed on the panel 68 conveniently mounted on the side of the structure by attachment to intermediate and base panels 49,29. An on-off keyed switch. 70, mounted within the upper panel 39 by threadable connection between the shank portion 71 and washer 72, controls the power supply to the Microswitch circuit. A flick of key 73 thus permits cutting off the flow of electricity to Microswitch circuit 60. Conversely, a flick of key 73 activates the Microswitch circuit 60. Activation of the Microswitch circuit, in turn, is also contingent on the on or off position of lever 51 of Microswitch 50 activated by displacement of circular disc 40. Receptacle 80 permits electrical connection between the Microswitch circuit 60 and external circuits.

External electrically operated devices can thus be connected to the pushbutton time cycle controller by suitable male plugs-thrust into sockets 81,82,83 of receptacle 80. The double-acting Microswitch can simultaneously make one contact and break another in response to an on-off time setting, or settings, of the controller and hence activate or turn one external device on as another is deactivated or turned off. Alternatively, a single-acting microswitch can be used to turn a device on and off in response to an on-off time setting, or settings, of the controller.

A feature of the invention is that the severalcomponents of the controller, particularly an electrical switch, or switches, can be readily located within a housing, this being particularly desirable where the controller is to be used in an atmosphere which may introduce a tire hazard. The several parts of the time cycle controller can thus be contained in a boxlike casing or housing 90 as shown by reference to FIG. 4. The receptacle 80, plug 63, a portion of the key switch 70, dial face 30, turn knob 31, pointer 33 and pushbutton 32 are projected outside the housing suitably supported on a plurality of legs. A window 93 in the front of the housing 90 provides direct time readings without lifting the hinged lid 92 to read the time from the position of the pointer 33.

As will be understood, these and various other modifications can be made within the spirit and meaning of this invention.

Having described the invention, what I claim is:

l. A pushbutton time cycle controller for performing preselected operations by energizing an electrical circuit comprising, the combination of a a dial face, provided with time indicia markings representing divisions of a unit of time, and a plurality of ushbuttons spaced at preselected time intervals around the dial face,

a clock motor mechanism,

a shaft operatively associated with said clock motor mechanism, the latter for continuously rotating the said shaft at a uniform angular velocity, a single rotation per unit time corresponding to the unit of time measured on the dial face,

a circular disc provided with a cam surface, concentrically integrally disposed on the shaft, rotatable therewith and vertically displaceable by action of the lower pushbutton ends which can be selectively moved into the path of'the rotating cam for contact therewith,

an electrical switch, for energizing said electrical circuit, located adjacent to and within the displacement range of the circular disc for contact and activation thereby,

whereby a preselected time setting made by pressing inwardly upon a pushbutton on the dial face causes the terminal end of the pushbutton to be projected downwardly into the path of the cam surface of the rotating circular disc so that, at a time corresponding to the preselected time setting, the pushbutton end will press against the cam and cause the disc to be displaced into contact with the switch to energize the said electrical circuit for performing preselected operations.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the unit of time measured on the dial face, and the time required for a single uniform rotation of the shaft, is 12 hours.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the time measured on the dial face is divided into a 24-hour period, and pushbuttons are located around the dial face for setting at intervals representing periods ranging up to 1 hour, and greater.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the cam surface is of such arc length and radial distance from the axis of the shaft that, upon setting a pushbutton to produce activation of the electrical circuit by contact of the disc with the pressure responsive switch, the operation continues without interruption for the set period.

5. The apparatus of claim I wherein the downwardly displaced circular disc activates at least one pressure responsive electrical switch, a switch controlling at least one separate external electrical circuit.

6. The apparatus of claim I wherein the pressure responsive electrical switch is a Microswitch.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dial face and pushbuttons are located upon the external surface of an outer panel, the pushbuttons extend through the outer panel and an intermediate panel spaced-apart from and rigidly adjoined to the outer panel, the rotatable shaft extends through both the said outer and intermediate panel and is operatively geared to the shaft of a motor mounted upon a base panel upon which is also mounted the pressure responsive electrical switch and portions of the electrical circuit.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a turn knob is located upon a terminal end of the rotatable shaft at the center of the dial face and a pointer is provided thereon to indicate the time at any given moment.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the several components are contained with a boxlike casing.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the boxlike casing is provided with a window, the peripheral surface of the circular disc is provided with time-indicia marks corresponding to those shown on the dial face, and the time-indicia marks which are framed within the window correspond to the time indicated by the pointer located on the turn knob at the dial face. 

1. A pushbutton time cycle controller for performing preselected operations by energizing an electrical circuit comprising, the combination of a dial face, provided with time indicia markings representing divisions of a unit of time, and a plurality of pushbuttons spaced at preselected time intervals around the dial face, a clock motor mechanism, a shaft operatively associated with said clock motor mechanism, the latter for continuously rotating the said shaft at a uniform angular velocity, a single rotation per unit time corresponding to the unit of time measured on the dial face, a circular disc provided with a cam surface, concentrically integrally disposed on the shaft, rotatable therewith and vertically displaceable by action of the lower pushbutton ends which can be selectively moved into the path of the rotating cam for contact therewith, an electrical switch, for energizing said electrical circuit, located adjacent to and within the displacement range of the circular disc for contact and activation thereby, whereby a preselected time setting made by pressing inwardly upon a pushbutton on the dial face causes the terminal end of the pushbutton to be projected downwardly into the path of the cam surface of the rotating circular disc so that, at a time corresponding to the preselected time setting, the pushbutton end will press against the cam and cause the disc to be displaced into contact with the switch to energize the said electrical circuit for performing preselected operations.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the unit of time measUred on the dial face, and the time required for a single uniform rotation of the shaft, is 12 hours.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the time measured on the dial face is divided into a 24-hour period, and pushbuttons are located around the dial face for setting at intervals representing periods ranging up to 1 hour, and greater.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the cam surface is of such arc length and radial distance from the axis of the shaft that, upon setting a pushbutton to produce activation of the electrical circuit by contact of the disc with the pressure responsive switch, the operation continues without interruption for the set period.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the downwardly displaced circular disc activates at least one pressure responsive electrical switch, a switch controlling at least one separate external electrical circuit.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure responsive electrical switch is a Microswitch.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dial face and pushbuttons are located upon the external surface of an outer panel, the pushbuttons extend through the outer panel and an intermediate panel spaced-apart from and rigidly adjoined to the outer panel, the rotatable shaft extends through both the said outer and intermediate panel and is operatively geared to the shaft of a motor mounted upon a base panel upon which is also mounted the pressure responsive electrical switch and portions of the electrical circuit.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a turn knob is located upon a terminal end of the rotatable shaft at the center of the dial face and a pointer is provided thereon to indicate the time at any given moment.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the several components are contained with a boxlike casing.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the boxlike casing is provided with a window, the peripheral surface of the circular disc is provided with time-indicia marks corresponding to those shown on the dial face, and the time-indicia marks which are framed within the window correspond to the time indicated by the pointer located on the turn knob at the dial face. 